HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — A former aide to John Edwards turned over the now infamous sex tape to a judge today, then faced tough questions from attorneys for the ex-presidential candidate’s mistress who were frustrated with his changing story about where the tapes had been kept.
On top of that, Andrew Young said Elizabeth Edwards has threatened to sue him for contributing to the downfall of their marriage.
Young’s attorneys turned over several items to be placed under seal, including an original videotape marked “special” that purportedly shows John Edwards in a sexual encounter with mistress Rielle Hunter. Young also turned over a copy of the tape.
The former Edwards confidant struggled to answer why he said last week that the only copies of the sex tape he had access to were in an Atlanta lockbox. He testified today that he also had a copy of the tape elsewhere and that he recently showed the video to ABC News in preparation for an interview.
“That is disturbing to me, and it’s not a comfort to our client,” said Alan Duncan, an attorneys for Hunter, who has said Young invaded her privacy by keeping the video and photographs of her.
Young conceded he previously made some errors in his sworn statement but said he has tried his best to detail the location of items Hunter is seeking.
“I answered as honestly as I could,” he testified.
Young said after the hearing that Elizabeth Edwards has threatened an “alienation of affection” lawsuit against him.
North Carolina is among about a half-dozen states that allows a person to sue a third party for contributing to the breakup of a marriage. Jilted spouses typically use the remedy to seek money from their partner’s lover.
“We have some very powerful people coming after us,” Young said. “Are we scared? Absolutely.”
A spokeswoman and an attorney for Elizabeth Edwards declined to comment. Young said he’s going to fight to prove that he and his family are not liars.
Young initially claimed to be the father of Hunter’s child and helped hide her from media and Elizabeth Edwards during the 2008 White House campaign. He detailed in his book the rise and fall of his former boss and the lengths Edwards went to hide his affair and the child he had with Hunter.
Young said he found the sex tape in a home he rented for Hunter and that he kept it to corroborate his story.
Another copy of the sex tape has been turned over to federal investigators who have been probing Edwards’ campaign finances, Young has said.
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